Refolding device



March 10, 1942. A. A. JOHNSON 2,275,822

' REFOLDING DEVICE Filed Feb. 1, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR March 10, 1942. A. A. JOHNSON REFOLDING DEVICE Filed Feb. 1, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR March 10, 1942. A JOHNSON 2,275,822

REFOLDING DEVICE Filed Feb. 1, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Mar. 10, 1942 REFOLDING DEVICE Arthur A. Johnson, Bridgeport, Conn., assignor to Autographic Register Company, Hoboken, N. .L, a corporation of New Jersey Application February 1, 1941, Serial No. 376,959

23 Claims.

The present invention relates to strip feeding, and especially to means for refolding a zigzag folded continuous strip of stationery in a storage space provided therefor after it issues from a strip-feeding device.

More specifically, the invention relates to a refolder in an autographic register.

Autographic registers in which one or more continuous manifolding strips are advanced a form length at a time over a platen from a zigzag folded pack are ordinarily provided with a rotary feeding means comprising, for instance, feed disks and rollers cooperating therewith at the delivery end of the platen for effecting said advancement. It is generally desired to preserve one or more of the superposed strips as a record copy, and for this purpose, the latter is generally guided into a storage compartment provided therefor as it issues from the feeding means and refolded along its original transverse fold lines into a zigzag folded pack, the folds thereof having the same direction as in the supply pack.

If the successive form lengths of the record strip are relatively thin and flexible, and if they are adapted to resume a flat unfiexed position when deposited freely upon a horizontal surface, the record strip, upon leaving the feeding means and being directed downward toward a flat bottomed storage compartment, will ordinarily refold of its own accord in the desired manner. However, if the strip is relatively stiff, or if portions of the strip have acquired a curvature, for instance, by remaining in flexed position for a protracted period while the machine is not in use, the record strip will sometimes fail to refold properly when deposited freely in the storage compartment.

r In order to overcome this difliculty and to insure proper refolding, refolder means positively engaging the strip is provided to guide the strip to the desired position in the said storage compartment.

It is an object of the present invention to provide novel refolder means which is carried and operated by a rotary strip-feeding means, and adapted to hold a record strip against the feed disks of the feeding means during predetermined intervals of the operation of the latter by ex tending over the margins of said strip.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel mechanism for operating said refolder in timed relation with the feeding of a zigzag folded continuous record strip in such a manner as to engage alternate form lengths thereof for refolding in the aforesaid manner.

In a rotary strip feeding mechanism' of the Shoup & Oliver type, as disclosed in United States Patent No. 1,396,070, which is adapted to arrest the feed of the stationery at form-length intervals, for instance, for the registration of superposed multiple strips and for positioning'of each form length above the platen for inscription, by cooperation of the feeding means with feed-arresting, form-registering apertures in the said strip, and to resume said advancement thereafter by moving said apertures beyond the bite of the feeding means, it is an object to provide a refolding means of the above-mentioned type neither requiring nor forming special physical alterations in the record strip for the refolding thereof, the apertures used for arrest of the feed cooperating with the refolding means to permit the latter to release the strip at the desired instant.

In autographic registers, the storage compartment ordinarily extends from below a rotary feeding means for a distance materially beyond the feeding means in the direction of the strip feed. Various means have been proposed heretofore to guide the record strip positively as it issues from the feeding means into the storage compartment so that successive fold lines will be directed alternately to a position below the feed means, or to the far end of the compartment. Such means comprised, for instance, hanging weights, reciprocated levers or bail members disposed in the storage compartment. Such means, however, have the disadvantage of taking up valuable space in the storage compartment and interfering with the ready removal of the refolded pack therefrom.

Other proposed refolders comprise members carried by the feeding means and operated thereby during the feeding of alternate form lengths to guide the strip to a position below the feeding means, the other form lengths being directed toward the far end of the storage compartment by fixed guide means. These refolders engage the strip between its margins by piercing the strip or by the entrance of an engaging member into apertures especially provided in the strip for this purpose, the refolder releasing the strip when it has reached the desired position below the feeding means. The disadvantage of these arrangements is that special apertures are required, increasing the cost'of the stationery, or that the strip is defaced by piercing. Moreover, reduction gearing or slip clutches are required to render the refolder alternately operative and in operative during the feeding of successive form lengths of the stationery.

According to the present invention refolding means is provided in autographic registers which is carried by the rotary feeding means and which engages the record strip to the rear of and. adjacent to alternate fold lines therein by hooking over the margins of the strip as it issues from the bite of the feeding means traveling downward with the strip to a position below the feed means and escaping through marginal cutaway portions or notches extending inward along the fold lines, whereupon the engaged portion of the strip is released and deposited below the feeding means in the desired position in the storage compartment. The refolding mechanism thus occupies substantially no additional space in the storage compartment other than that required by the feeding mechanism itself.

In registers of the Shoup & Oliver type, the feed-arresting apertures which cooperate with the feed means may be utilized to permit the escape of the strip from the refolder, and no special alterations are required in the record strip, nor are any alterations formed in the strip by the refolder.

The mechanism for operating the refolder according to the present invention is carried by the rotary feed means and is rotated in unison therewith requiring no slip clutches or the like for rendering it alternately operative and inoperative during the feeding of successive form lengths. Instead, the refolder is controlled by a toggle device operated by cams, which provides a simple, durable, reliable and positive-acting mechanism.

Additional features and advantages will appear from the following detailed description of one embodiment of my invention, referring to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan elevation of a manifolding register according to the present invention with portions of the cover plates and manifolding stationery cut away to show the underlying feeding and refolding mechanism.

Fig. 2 is a cross-section substantially along the line 2-2' in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary detail in side elevation of the refolder mechanism of the present invention in initial strip-engaging position shortly after the beginning of a form-feeding operation of the feeding means, a feed disk and roller shaft being shown in cross-section substantially along the line 3-3 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is similar to Fig. 3, but shows the refolder about to become inoperative after moving almost a full revolution beyond the position of Fig. 3, at the conclusion of a form-length feeding operation of the feed disks.

Fig. 5 shows the refolder a few degrees beyond the position of Fig. 4, during motion of the stripengaging member to inoperative position.

Fig. 6 shows the refolder in inoperative positon a few degrees beyond the position illustrated in-Fig. 3, the actuator thereof being primed to return the mechanism to operative position during the succeeding revolution of the feeding means.

Fig. 7 shows the position of the refolder at the end of the next form-feeding operation, nearly a full revolution beyond that of Fig. 6 as the refolder begins to move from inoperative to operative position.

Fig. 8 shows the refolder during motion to operative position at the beginning of the alternate priming operation.

Fig. 9 is a detail in front elevation of the refolder mechanism substantially in the position shown in Fig. 3, and viewed from the rear or storage compartment side.

Fig. 10 is a detail in cross-section substantially along the line Ill-I0 in Fig. 3 of a pivot for mounting the refolder mechanism on the feed disk.

Fig. 11 is a cross-section substantially along the line II-I I in Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of one end of the feeding means viewed from the front or supply compartment side, showing the escape of the refolding means of the present invention from engagement with the record strip through a marginal notch in the latter.

Fig. 13 illustrates one of various suitable forms of cut-outs or notches in the margins of a record strip for the escape of the refolder, being a V- notch apexed at the line of separation between form lengths. Fig. 13b shows another notch of which one edge coincides with the line of separation, and the other edge extends into the leading or trailing end of one of the adjacent form lengths. Fig. 130. shows a cutout having parallel edges and extending inward from the strip margin along the line of form-length separation.

The refolding device of the present invention is illustrated as incorporated in a manifolding register, comprising an elongate boxlike casing I0 having a bottom wall II, side walls I2, and front and rear end walls I3 and I4 respectively. A pair of aligning plates I5 at opposite sides of the casing are provided with inwardly bent aligned flanges I5a which separate the easing into a supply compartment I6 for receiving a zigzag folded pack I! of manifolding stationery, and a record storage compartment I8 for receiving a record strip to be refolded into a zigzag pack I9, the aligning plates I5 serving to position the supply pack I! transversely of the machine.

A strip feeding means is provided comprising a rotary feed shaft 20 carrying a pair of feed disks 2I adjacent the sides of the machine, and a pair of restarter members 22 intermediate the said feed disks for engaging and advancing a strip a short distance during an interval of each revolution of the rotary shaft and feed disks. The said shaft is journaled in a pair of bearing plates 23 at opposite sides of the casing to the rear of the flanges I5u.. At one end, the shaft 20 extends through a side wall of the casing and is provided with a crank 24 and handle 2'5 offset therefrom for manual rotation of the disks, restarters, and shaft.

A friction roller 29, carried by a roller shaft 30 which is journaled in reduced forked extensions 3| at the top of the bearing plates 23, is provided to cooperate with the feed disks and restarters 22 in feeding manifolding stationery. The said shaft is urged downward by springs, not shown, but well known in the art, pressing the roller against the feed disks H to exert a firm grip upon stationery positioned therebetween. A bail member 32 having a thumb plate 33 is provided to raise the roller 29 out of engagement with the disks 2| to facilitate threading of stationery through the feeding means.

Releasable stop means is preferably provided for arresting rotation of the said shaft each time it performs a complete revolution. Such means may comprise, for instance, an automatic self-releasing stop mechanism 26 which has been described in United States Patent No. 2,212,853 granted August 27, 1940, to William .Borchers. The pin 21 is normally biased by a spring to project into the path of the crank 24, while pin 28 is retracted within the wall of the machine. The said pins are operatively connected for alternate projection. As the crank 24 is rotated, it encounters pin 21, which is adapted to be cammed inward permitting the crank to pass over it, while pin 28 is projected into the path of the crank. The latter pin acts as a stop, arresting rotation of the crank in the same position during each revolution of the feed disks. The pins 21 and 28 are so spaced, that the breadth of the crank 24 just fits between them. Thus, as the crank is arrested by pin 28, pin 21 is released by the crank and projected bythe spring, while pin 28 is automatically retracted, leaving the crank free to be rotated through the next revolution.

A platen 34 hinged to a transverse rod 35 extends toward the front of the machine above the supply compartment l and is supported on the upper edges of the aligning plates I5. A cover and margin plate 36 hinged at 31 to the front wall l3 normally rests on the edges of the side walls |2 and is provided with an inscription opening 38 above the platen. The plate 36 also extends over the shaft and rollers 29, terminating in a severing edge 39 just beyond the bite of the feed disks and rollers.

A cover plate 44 hinged at to the rear wall I4 is also provided to close the record storage compartment I8, and if desired, may be provided with a suitable lock to prevent unauthorized removal of the record strips from the said compartment.

Guide means for the manifolding strips is provided at the receiving end of the platen, comprising, for instance, a roller 40 for all strips, and separate rollers 4| for each of the manifolding strips. A resilient finger 42 secured to the cover plate 36' applies a retarding tension to the strips as they are drawn over the platen by the 1 feeding means. Hooks 43 at the receiving end of the platen constitute anchoring means for holding transfer sheets to be interleaved with manifolding stationery.

Beyond the bite of the feed disks and rollers,

a deflector plate 46 of the usual form is provided carried by a transverse support 41 secured to the bearing plates. The issue strips of manifolding stationery are fed outward by the feeding means above the upper surface 48 of the deflector plate 46, while record strips to be stored in compartment |B are fed downward between the disks 2| and the lower surface 49 of the said deflector which normally guides them toward the rear end of the storage compartment. The latter surface, at least adjacent the feed disks 2|, is spaced apart from the said disks by a suitable clearance as shown in Fig. 2 to permit operation of the refolding mechanism as set forth hereinafter. According to the present invention the mamfolding strips 50 are folded into a zigzag pack I! along transverse fold lines 5| at form-length intervals. If desired, the said fold lines may be weakened, for instance, by perforations, to facilitate folding of the strips and severing of the issued strips. The manifolding strips are provided with marginal feed-arresting form-registering cut-outs or notches 52 extending inward along the fold lines 5| at opposite sides of the strips, in alignment with the feed disks 2 I. The

form-length distance between successive fold lines in said strips is less than the circumference of the feed disks 2| so that one revolution of the latter is adapted to feed one form length of the manifolding stationery.

The operation of the feeding mechanism is of the Shoup & Oliver type. The strips 58 are threaded over the guide rollers 4d and 4| and interleaved with transfer sheets above the platen 34. All of the strips are gripped between the feed disks 2| and feed rollers 29. As the disks 2| make one revolution, the strips are advanced over the platen until the said disks enter the marginal cut-outs 52, whereby the superposed strips are mutually registered, and advancement of the strips is halted. The said strips are frictionally retained against further advancement as rotation of the disks 2| continues by the tension applied at the receiving end of the platen by the resilient finger 42, until, upon continued rotation of the shaft 29, the restarters 22 are moved into a position to engage the strips, moving the notches 52 beyond the bite of the feed disks, and

causing the latter to resume advancement of the strips for the next form length.

The stop mechanism 26 i preferably disposed so that operation of the feeding means is arrested as each folded line 5| is brought to the severing edge 39, and at the same time positioning a form length of stationery above the platen for inscription. Thus for each revolution of the shaft 20, the strip are advanced by a form length, mutually registered with each other, positioned for inscription, and registered with the tearing edge.

Improved registration of the superposed strips may be obtained by modification of the feeding and restarting mechanism as described and illustrated in the copending applications of William Borchers, Serial No. 339,418, filed June 8, 1940, or Serial No. 355,417, filed September 5, 1940, the former having matured into United States Patent No. 2,281,106, granted February 11, 1941, suitable apertures being provided within the strips, in addition to the marginal notches, for effecting a second registration of the strip by the restarting means 22 by the time the fold line of each form length reaches the severing edge 33. According to the present invention, to insure proper refolding of the record strip which is threaded below the deflector plate 46, mean is provided on the feeding means to engage alternate form lengths as they are fed into the storage compartment so that they are guided toward the front end of the compartment beneath the feeding means. This means comprises a pair of refolding mechanisms, one at each side of the machine, in mutual alignment. Thus, only one of the pair of mechanisms will be described.

The refolding mechanism comprises a guide finger 53 carried by an arm 54 pivotally supported on the outer side of disk 2| at the pivot 55. The pivotal mounting 55 of the arm 54 is eccentric to the disk 2| and is adapted not only to permit pivotal movement of the arm 54, whereby the pin 53 may be reciprocated between a position within the periphery of said disk and a position just beyond said periphery, but also axial sliding movement so that the pin 53 may be reciprocated between a projected position in which it extends inward over the peripheral surface of disk 2| and a retracted position in which it is clear of the disk, the roller 28, and the margin of the stationery passing over said disk. As the leading edge of a record strip form length which is to be carried below the feeding means inthe record storage compartment is advanced beyond the bite of the feeding means during the initial portion of a form-length feeding operation, the pin 53 rises from its inoperative position within the periphery of the disk 2| to a position above said periphery by pivoting of the arm 54, and then moves inward bysliding motionof the pivotal mounting 55 to extend over the margin of the stationery and the peripheral surface of the disk just beyond the bite of the feeding means, sufficient clearance being allowed between disk 2| and the lower guide surface 49 of the deflector plate 46 to receive the pin 53. Thus, as the disks 2| rotate, the engaged form length of the record strip is held against the disks by pins 53 (Fig. 3.).

As rotation of the feeding means continues, pin 53 move downward with the record strip below the feeding means, bending the strip around the disks, until the travel of the record strip with the feed disks 2| is arrested by entrance of the next set of notches 52 into the bite of the feeding means. The strip is then held against casual advancement by the resilient tensioning finger 42. Further rotation of the disks 2| and of pins 53 brings them to the fold line 5| at the head of the engaged form length and they escape from the record strip through the marginal notches or cutouts 52 at the fold line. If the pins 53 should fail to escape in the aforesaid manner, for instance, because of the use of a relatively long form length, continued motion of the fold line 5| around the disks causes it to encounter fixed portions of the mechanism extending inward between the feed disks and constituting obstacles which halt its motion, thus permitting the pins 53 to move forward and escape through the notches 52 in the desired manner. Upon release of the strip by the pins 53, the fold line 5| is deposited in the desired refolded position below the feeding means.

As the pins 53 again approach the top of the feed disks, they are first attracted outward and then moved pivotally downward below the peripheral surfaces of disks 2| to inoperativ position, and remain thus during the succeeding revolution of the feed disks. Hence, during advancement of the succeeding form length of the stationery, the leading edge thereof is directed to the far end of the storage compartment l8 by the deflector plate 46; while during the neXt revolution, the guiding operation of pins 53 is repeated. Thus, successive form lengths of the record strip are guided alternately below the feeding means M in the storage compartment by the guide pins 53 and to the far end by the deflector plate 46 insuring proper refolding thereof.

A novel mechanism is provided according to the present invention 'to render the pins 53 operative as above described during alternate formlength feeding revolutions of the feeding means. As shown in Fig. 10, the pivotal mounting 55 of arm 54 on the disk 2| comprises a bearing sleeve 56, secured in an eccentric aperture in the disk 2|. The bearing sleeve engages one surfac of the disk by means of a shoulder 51, and is clamped in place by a nut 58 threaded to the protruding end of the sleeve, engaging the opposite surface of the disk.

Bearing sleeve 56 receives a bushing 59 rotatably mounted therein, and engaging the inner end of the bearing by means of a shoulder 66. The opposite end of the bushing terminates substantially flush with the outer end. of the bearing 56. The arm 54 is rigidly secured to the end of a pin 6 I which protrudes through the bushing 59 and is slidably carried therein. A portion of the shank of the pin 6| adjacent the arm 54 is flattened on opposite sides as indicated at 62, and the opening at the outer end of bushing 59 is correspondingly shaped, so that pin 6| and arm 54 are prevented from rotating relative to the bushing 59, but are adapted to slide axially thereof. Bushing 59 is counterbored from the inner end to provide an annular space 63 receiving a compression spring 64. The latter abuts a collar 65 on pin 6| of the same diameter as the counterbore of bushing 59, while at the other end, the said spring is supported by the end wall counterbore 63.

The spring 64' normally urges the pin 6| inward in the bushing 59 until the arm 54 abuts the outer end of bearing 56. Since collar 65 always engages counterbore 63, the latter serves as a guide to retain the pin 6| coaxial with the bushing 59. The protruding end 66 of pin 6| serves as an actuator for causing outward sliding motion of pin 63 and arm 64 relative to disk 2| upon application of axial pressure to the said protruding end sufficient to compress the spring 64, while upon release of the said protruding end 66, the spring returns the pin 6| and its associated mechanism to its original position.

In order to effect outward and inward sliding motion of pin GI and arm 54 during a predetermined interval of each revolution of the disk 2|,

an arcuate cam 61 is provided extending into the path of the protruding end 66 of pin 6| adjacent the inner surface of the feed disk 2| and supported by means of arm 68 terminating in a bracket 69, secured to a transverse brace 10 which is fastened at opposite ends to the flanges |5a of the aligning plates H).

The arcuate cam surface H of cam 61 is illustrated in Figures 1, 2, and 9 and is shown in dotted lines in Figs. 3 to 8 inclusive. Assuming arms 54 to be disposed as shown in Figs. 3 and 4 with pin 53 just outside the periphery of disk 2|, the said cam surface is adapted to engage the end 66 of pin 6| during a revolution of the disk 2|, as the pin rises toward the bite of the feeding means, compressing the spring 64 and moving pin 53 clear of the outer surface of the disk 2| just before pin 53 reaches the bite of the feeding means as illustrated in Fig. 4. After the pin 53 is moved a short distance beyond the bite of the feeding means, the end 66 of pin 6| moves beyond the end of cam surface II, permitting the spring 64 to move the arm 54 and pin 53 inward so that the latter extends over the peripheral feed surface and disk 2| as illustrated in Fig. 3 and also in Fig. 9.

However, if the arm 54 is inwardly pivoted as illustrated in Fig. 5, when the pin 6| is released by cam surface H, the spring 64 merely moves the arm 54 inwardly partway until the pin 53 engages the surface of the disk 2 I.

Means are also provided according to the present invention to coordinate reciprocated pivotal motion of the arm, 54 about the pivot with rotation of the disk 2| so that the pin 53 will be operatively positioned outside the periphery of the said disk only during alternate revolutions of said disk, and retracted to inoperative position within the periphery of the disk during the rest of the operation. This means comprises a toggle device for holding the arm 54 in either of two limiting pivotal positions, determined by suitable stop means carried by the disks 2|. Actuator meansis provided to move the arm 54 from one position to the other during each revolution of the feed disks, the actuator mechanism including means for priming the toggle mechanism to operate in alternate directions upon successive revolutions of the feed disks.

As illustrated, the toggl device comprises a lever 12 rigidly secured to the inner end of the bushing 59, for instance, by heading over the end of said bushing as indicated at 13. As shown, lever 12 is substantially parallel to the arm 54. A pair of stops 14, best shown in Figs. 3 to 8, limit the pivotal motion of the lever 12 and consequently of arm 54 about the pivot 55.

An actuator 15, which also serves as a priming member, is pivotally secured by set screw 1.6 to lever 12 near the end of the latter, its pivoting motion about screw 16 being limited by a laterally protruding pin 11, retained between a pair of bifurcations 78 provided on the end of lever 12 beyond the pivot 16. Pin 1! is joined by toggle spring 19 and a U-shaped link 80 to the disk 2| at a point on the opposite side of pivot 55 lying substantially along the projected bisector of the angle traversed by the axis of the lever 12 in moving from one limiting position to the other between stops M. The end of link 80 is secured to disk 2| by means of a set screw 8| and is adapted to pivot freely thereon.

The range of pivotal motion of pin ll-about screw 16 subtends an angle about the pivot 55 which is considerably less than half of the maximum angular range of motion of said pin about pivot 55. Thus, regardless of the disposition of pin Tl between bifurcations 18, the spring I9 is adapted to bias lever 72 to one or the other of its limiting positions between stops I4.

Furthermore, the relatively short pivoting radius of pin 11 about pivot '16 and the angle traversed by the pin 71 in moving from one bifurcation to the other about pivot 16 is suificiently wide to include a line projected from set screw 8| through the pivot 16 regardless of the angular position of the lever 72 between its limiting positions. Accordingly, spring 19 also serves to toggle the actuator 75 to either of its limiting positions about pivot 13 in any position of lever 12.

In order to operate the toggle device, a fixed pin 32 is provided, projecting, for instance, from the arm of cam 61, adjacent cam surface 7|, into the path of actuator 15, and a pair of resilient fingers 83 and 84 secured, for instance, to disk 2| by welding them to the bushing 56 and projecting into-the line of said actuator. The latter is provided with a finger 85 extending from the pivot 76 toward pivot 55.

The finger 85 has an outer ca-m surface 86 and an inner cam surface 87, either of which is adapted to engage the pin 82 upon rotation of the disk 2|, depending upon the angular position of the actuator 15 with reference to pivot 15. Passage of the actuator 75 past the pin 82 with the outer cam surface 86 in contact with said pin moves the lever 72 and consequently arm 55 and pin 53 inward toward the center of disk 2i, while similar engagement of the inner cam surface 8? moves the lever 12 and arm 14 away from the center of the disk 2| to a position in which pin 53 is beyond the periphery of said disk.

The end of finger 85 is provided with a pair of wings 88 and 89 offset from the plane of the end of pin 82 so that they clear the latter, and adapted to contact resilient fingers 83 and 84 respectively during engagement of pin 82 with cam surfaces 8,! or 86 during successive revolutions of disk'2l, to move the actuator 15 from one position to the other about pivot 16.

- Operation of the refolder mechanism is best explained by referring to Figures 3 to 8, inclusive, showing successive positions thereof.

The initial operative position of pin 53 and of the refolding mechanism is shown in Fig. 3. The angular spacing of the refolder mechanism and restarter 22 about the axis of shaft 20 is so chosen that the notch 52 between successive form lengths of a record strip at which the edge of the fold line 5| is directed'toward the disk 2| is in advance of the pin 53, said fold being intended to be guided below the feeding means in the record storage compartment.

As the disk 2| is'rotated, pin 53 and the record strip 53 over which it extends maintain substantially the same relation as they travel around to a position below the feeding means, the strip being bent around the feed disks; but as the notch 52 at the succeeding fold line of the manifolcling strips enters the bite of the feeding means, travel of the record strip with the disk 2| is halted, spring 42 retaining all of thestrips, including the record strip, against further travel. Pin53 then moves toward notch 52 and escapes therefrom as shown in Fig, 12.

The notches 52 are'shown as having their leading edges coinciding with the fold lines 5| and their trailing edges extending into the head of the following form length. Obviously, however, in order that the pin 53 may escape from said fold through said notch, the shape of the notch is immaterial so long as it extends inward along the fold line 5|. Several suitable'notch shapes are shown in Fig. 13. The form of notch having its leading edge transverse of the sheet is preferred because of its superior form-registering capacity in cooperation with the feeding means.

If relatively long form lengths are used, the fold line 5| may encounter the arms 68 of cam 61 which extend between the disk 2| before the advancement of the strip is halted in the afore-' said manner. In this case, further travel of said fold line with disks 2| is arrested by the arms 63, permitting pins 53 to move forward and escape from the strip, the latter merely bulging away from the disks 2| between the lower" edge of deflector plate 43 and pins 53.

After the pins 53 escape from notche 52, the fold 5| drops into the desired refolded position in the record storage compartment 18 below the feeding means.

Upon continued rotation of feed disks 2|, the end 63 of pin 6| contacts ca-m surface moving arm 54 outward until pin 53 is clear of the disks 2| and the margin of the manifolding strips entering the bite of the feeding means, "by the time pin 53 reaches a position adjacent to the feeding means, as shownin Fig. 4. Preferably this position corresponds substantially to the completion of a form-feeding revolution of feed disks 2|, at which stop means 26 have releasably arrested rotation of the disks, and the next form length of stationery has been registered in the inscription opening above the platen.

In this position, the outer cam surface 83' of fin er 85 on actuator 15 encounters pin 82. As a result, upon initial rotation of the disks 2|' for the next form-feeding operation, lever 12 and arm .54 are moved pivotally inward so that pin 53 is moved inside the periphery of disk 2| to the position shownin Fig. 5 by the cam surface 86 riding over pin '82. During this operation, the

wing 89 on the end of finger 85 engages resilient finger '84, causing actuator 15 to move pin 11 about pivot 15 to its inward position betweenthe bifurcations I8, cam surface 86 and pin 82 simultaneously completing the inward motion of lever 12, and bringing the mechanism to rest in the position shown in Fig. 6. The tip 56 of pin simultaneously reaches the endof cam surface 51 and is released thereby, permitting the spring 54 to move arm 54 and pin 53 inward, but since the pin 53 is within the periphery of disk 2|, it is merely urged against the disk surface by said spring.

At the end of cam surface 86 of actuator 15, a lug 9B is provided which will engage the pin 82, if the resilient finger 84 cooperating with wing 89 should fail to move the actuator about pivot 16 in the above-described manner, independently causing the actuator to move to the position illustrated in Fig, 6 by passage over the pin 82.

The described motion of actuator 15 primes the finger 85 so that the next time it reaches the pin 82 during the succeeding revolution of disk 2|, said pin will engage the lower cam surface 81 of said actuator.

Since pin 53 is in inoperative position during the revolution of disk 2|, the initial portion of which is illustrated in Figs. 4 to 6, the succeeding form length of the record strip which issues from the feeding means during said revolution is guided by the deflector plate. 45, toward the far end of the storage compartment |8 where the next fold 5| at the head of said form length assumes its normal folded position. Substantially at the end of said revolution, the refolder reaches the position shown in Fig. '7.

At this point, restarters 22 have engaged strips 5|! to resume advancement of another form length by moving notches 52 beyond .the bite of the feeding means. Engagement .of the tip 55 of pin 5| with cam surface H has again moved arm 54 outward so that the pin 53 is beyond the margin of the strips passing over the disk 2|. The inner cam surface 87 of actuator 15 is shown in its initial engagement with pin 82.

As the rotation of disk 2| continues, cam surface 81 rides up over pin 82, as shown in Fig. 8, moving lever 12, arm 54, and pin 53 outward about pivot 55 toward the position shown in Fig. 3. The wing 88 engages resilient finger 83, moving pin H to its outer position between the bifurcations 78, and thereby returning the extension 85 to the position shown in Fig.3. If this latter operation should fail to occur, lug 9| at the end of cam surface 81 will engage pin 82, thereby positively moving actuator 15 to the position shown in Fig. 3. Said actuator is thus primed to repeat the successive operations described above with reference to Figures 3 to 8.

As pin 8| moves beyond cam 531, it is released thereby, allowing pin 53 to move inward over the margin of the record strip to carry the next form length thereof to the end of the storage compartment below the feeding means by repetition of the operation hereinbefore described.

Since the lugs 98 and 9| on actuator 15 as well as the resilient fingers 83 and 84 cooperating with wings 88 and 39 are adapted to perform the priming operation upon actuator 15, one or the other means may be omitted. However, cooperation of the resilient fingers with the wings on extension 85 offers relatively less resistance to rotation of the disk 2|, in View of the relatively long lever arm provided by extension 85, than cooperation of pin 82 with the lugs 98 and 9|. On the other hand, the operation of pin 82 on the said lugs is more positive than that of the resilient fingers. Hence, both means have advantages, and the inclusion of both in the mechanism is therefore desirable.

When a new supply pack is to be inserted into the supply compartment, the margin plate 38 and platen 34 are raised and the pack inserted in place with the fold edges at which the inscribed side of the sheet are exposed directly toward the front wall |3. The superposed strips are threaded over the guide rollers 40 and 4|. The platen 34 is lowered and the strips interleaved with the transfer sheets fastened to said platen and drawn across the platen toward the feeding means.

Ordinarily, the uppermost form length in a pack of stationery is disposed with a printed form length exposed on the top, so that the leading edge of the first record strip form length is to be guided beneath the feeding means in the said compartment while the first fold of the record strip is to be fed to the far end of the record storage compartment. Thus, it is generally desired to have the refolder in a position to be operative during the first form-feeding operation.

Accordingly, in order to synchronize the refolder properly when initially threading the manifolding strip through the machine, the arms 54 and pins '53 should occupy the position shown in Fig. 2 or Fig. 7, when the feed means is in the initial or final position determined by stop means 25, and the leading edge of the first form length is registered with the severing edge 39.

.As hereinbefore described, the pins 53 when positioned as shown in Fig. '7, become operative during the succeeding revolution of the feedin means. Thus, before inserting the paper between the feed rollers 29 and disks 2|, the cover 44 of the record storage compartment is raised and the feed means turned to a stop position. If, upon inspection, pin 53 is seen to be raised as illustrated in Fig. 4, the feeding means is rotated through another complete revolution until it is again arrested by the stop means 25, whereupon pin 53 and arm 54 will be positioned as shown in Fig. 2 or '7. The disks 2| and rollers 29 are then separated by raising the bail member 32 and the heading of the first form length is threaded between the rollers and disks, bringing the ends of the issue strips tothe severing edge 39 above the surface 48 of deflector plate 48, while the lowermost record strip or strips are inserted below the surface 49 of deflector 45 in registration with the overlying issue strips. Cover 44 and margin plate 36 are returned to their closed positions, and the machine is ready for use.

Obviously, if the first fold of the record strip is reversed, requiring guiding of the leading edge to the far end of the storage compartment, the initial position of the refolder when threading the paper through the machine should be that shown in Fig. 4, and the machine may be adjusted in the above-described manner by inspecting the position of arm 54 and pin 53 when the feeding means is arrested by stop means 26.

Any malregistration of the initial form lengths of the stationery will be corrected by cooperation of the feed disks 2| with notches 52 when succeeding form lengths are brought into position for inscription.

-While the device of the present invention has been described with reference to its use with a multiple strip feed, the refolding mechanism will operate equally well if only a single zigzag fold strip is fed across the platen and into the record storage compartment.

Variations and modifications may be made within the scope of this invention and portions of the improvements may be used without others.

I claim:

1. In a strip feeding device having as a feeding means a rotary member and a roller cooperating therewith, engaging a strip for the advancement thereof, a strip-guiding member rotated with said rotary member for engaging a margin of said strip as it issues from the bite of said feeding means by extending over said margin to hold the strip against said rotary member, and bend the strip around the latter member as it rotates; means for releasing the strip from said engagement before the strip guiding member attains the margin of the strip entering the bite of said feeding means; and means for retracting said strip-guiding member beyond the margin of the strip in passing the roller and in passing the margin of the strip entering the bite of said feeding means.

2. In a strip feeding device having as a feeding means a rotary member and a roller cooperating therewith, engaging a strip for the advancement thereof, a strip-guiding member rotated with said rotary member for engaging a margin of said strip as it issues from the bite of said feeding means by extending over said margin to hold the strip against said rotary member and bend the strip around the latter member as it rotates; means for releasing the strip from said engagement before the strip-engaging member attains the margin of the strip entering the bite of said feeding means; means for retracting said strip-guiding member beyond the margin of the strip in passing the roller and in passing the margin of the strip entering the bite of said feeding means; and means for rendering said strip-guiding member inoperative to engage said strip during alternate revolutions of-said rotary member.

3. In a strip feeding device having as a feeding means, a rotary member and a roller cooperating therewith engaging a strip for the advancement thereof, a strip-guiding member rotated with said rotary member for engaging a margin of said strip as it issues from the bite of said feeding means by extending over said margin to hold the strip against said rotary member and bend the strip around the latter member as it rotates; means for releasing said strip from said engagement before the stripguiding member attains the margin of the strip entering the bite of said feeding means; means for retracting said strip-guiding member beyond the margin of the strip in passing the roller and in passing the margin of the strip entering the bite of said feeding means; and means for retracting said strip-guiding member within the periphery of the rotary member during alter nate revolutions of said rotary member, to render the strip-guiding member inoperative to engage said strip.

4. In a strip feeding device, feeding means comprising a rotary strip-advancing member and a roller cooperating therewith, engaging a zigzag folded strip for advancement thereof, said strip having marginal cutouts extending inward along its fold lines; means rotating with said rotary member for engaging a margin of said strip as it issues from the bite of said feeding means after said fold line is arrested.

5. In a strip feeding device, a feeding means comprising a rotary member and a roller cooperating therewith engaging a zigzag folded strip adjacent a margin thereof for advancing said strip and cooperating with marginal cutouts aligned with said feeding means and extending inward along the fold lines of said strip to arrest strip advancement as said cutouts enter the bite of said feeding means, the fold lines and cutouts being spaced in the strip at intervals less than the circumference of one of said rotary members, whereby the strip advancement is arrested during each revolution of said rotary member; means temporarily engaging said strip during an interval of each revolution of said rotary member for moving said cutouts beyond the bite of said feeding means whereby the latter resumes strip advancement; means rotated with said rotary member for engaging said strip as it issues from the bite of said feeding means by extension over its margin to the rear of and adjacent the cutout at a fold in said strip at which the fold edge is disposed toward said rotary member, retaining the strip in close proximity with the rotary member and bending the strip around said member as the latter rotates, said strip-engaging means escaping from said strip through the adjacent marginal cutout portion upon continued rotation of the feeding means after strip advancement is arrested by entrance of the succeeding cutout into the bite of the feeding means; means for retracting said strip-engaging means beyond the strip margin entering the bite of said feeding means as the strip-engaging means passes said strip margin and for retaining said means retracted as it passes the bite of said feeding means; and means for Withdrawing said strip-engaging mearis within the periphery of said rotary member to render it inoperative to engage the strip during alternate revolutions of the rotary member.

6. In a machine for controlling the advancement of a continuous zigzag folded strip of stationery, a feeding means comprising a rotary shaft, a plurality of feed disks carried by said shaft, and a roller cooperating therewith to advance said strip; a storage compartment for receiving said strip as it issues from said feeding means, extending from below the feeding means to the rear thereof in strip-feeding direction; means normally guiding said strip during advancement thereof toward the rear of said storage compartment; a refolding means comprising a strip-engaging member carried by said rotary shaft and rotated therewith, said member engaging said strip to the rear of and adjacent each fold, the edge of which is disposed toward said feed disks, by extending over the margin of the strip, to carry the engaged portion of the strip below the feeding means; means for releasing said strip from said engagement before saidfolds again attain the bite of thefeeding vance said strip; a storage compartment for receiving said strip as it issues from said feeding means, extending from below the feeding means to the rear thereof in strip-feeding direction; means normally guiding said strip during advancement thereof toward the rear of said storage compartment; a refolding means comprising a strip-engaging member carried by said rotary shaft and rotated therewith, said member engaging said strip to the rear of and adjacent a fold, the edge of which is disposed toward said feed disks, by extending over the margin of the strip, to carry the engaged portion of the strip below the feeding means; means for releasing said strip from said engagement before said fold again attains the bite of the feeding means, whereby the said fold is deposited in the storage compartment below the feeding means; means for retracting said strip-engaging member beyond the margin of the strip in passing the bite of said feeding means and in passing the margin of the strip entering said feeding means; and means for timing the operation of said stripengaging membe with the advancement of said strip so that the latter is initially engaged thereby at intervals corresponding to the distance between alternate folds therein.

8. In a machine for controlling the advancement of a continuous zigzag folded strip of stationery, the folds of said strip being disposed at form-length intervals, feeding means comprising a rotary shaft, a plurality of feed disks carried by said shaft, and a roller cooperating therewith to advance said strip, one revolution of said shaft advancing said strip by one form length; a storage compartment for said strip as it issues from said feeding means, extending from below the feeding means to the rear thereof in strip-feeding direction; meansnormally guiding said strip during advancement thereof toward the rear of said storage compartment; refolding means comprising a strip-engaging member carried by said rotary shaft and rotated therewith, said member engaging the strip to the rear of and adjacent a fold, the edge of which is disposed toward the feed disks by extending over the margins of the strip to carry the engaged portion thereof below the feeding means; means for releasing said strip from said engagement before said fold again attains the bite of said feeding means, whereby said fold is deposited in the storage compartment below said feeding means; means for retracting said strip-engaging member beyond the margins of the strip, in passing the bite of said feeding means and in passing the margin of the strip entering said feeding means; and means for rendering said strip-engaging means inoperative to engage the strip during alternate revolutions of said rotary shaft and the feed disks mounted thereon.

9. In a machine for controlling the advancement of a continuous zigzag folded strip of stationery, the folds of said strip being disposed at form-length intervals, feeding means comprising means, whereby the said folds are deposited ina rotary shaft, a plurality of feed disks carried by said shaft, and a roller cooperating therewith to advance said strip, one revolution of said shaft advancing said strip by one form length; a storage compartment for said strip as it issues from said feeding means, extending from below the feeding means to the rear thereof in strip-feeding direction; means normally guiding said strip during advancement thereof toward the rear of said storage compartment; refolding means comprising a strip-engaging member carried by said rotary shaft and rotated therewith, said member engaging the strip to the rear and adjacent a fold, the edge of which is disposed toward its feed disks by extending over the margins of the strip tocarry the engaged portion thereof below the feeding means; means for releasing said strip from said engagement before said fold again attains the bite of said feeding means, whereby said fold is deposited in the storage compartment below said feeding means; means for retracting said strip-engaging member beyond the margins of the strip, in passing the bite of said feeding means and in passing the margin of the strip entering said feeding means; and means for withdrawing and retaining the strip-engaging means within the periphery of said feed disks during alternate revolutions of the feeding means, whereby said strip-engaging means is rendered inoperative to engage the strip.

10. In a machine for controlling the advancement of a continuous zigzag folded strip of stationery, the folds of said stationery being spaced at form-length intervals and having marginal cutouts extending inwardly along said fold lines, a feeding means comprising a rotary shaft, a pair of feed disks carried by said shaft and having a circumference exceeding the form length of the stationery, and a roller cooperating therewith to advance said strip, said feed disks being aligned with said marginal cutouts and cooperating therewith to arrest advancement of the strip at form-length intervals; restarting means on said shaft temporarily engaging said strip during each revolution of the feed disks for moving the cutouts beyond the bite of said roller and feed disks, whereby the latter resume advancement of the strip; means exerting a drag on said strip to prevent causal advancement thereof while said feed disks engage the marginal cutouts; a storage compartment for receiving said strip as it issues from said feeding means, said compartment extending from below the feeding means to the rear thereof in strip-feeding direction; means normally guiding said strip during advancement thereof toward the rear of said storage compartment; refolding means comprising a strip-engaging member carried by said rotary shaft and rotated therewith, said member engaging said strip to the rear of and adjacent a fold, the edge of which is disposed toward the feed disks, by extending over the margins of the strip to carry the engaged portion thereof below the feeding means, said member escaping from engagement with the strip through the marginal cutouts in advance of the engaged portion thereof upon continued rotation of said member with the rotary shaft after strip advancement is arrested by entrance of the marginal cutouts at the succeeding fold line into the bite of the feeding means; means for retracting said strip-engaging member beyond the margin of the strip in passing the bite of said feeding means and in passing the margin of the strip entering said feeding means; and means for rendering said strip-engaging member inoperative to engage the strip during alternate revolutions of said feed disks.

11. In a machine for controlling the advancement of a continuous zigzag folded strip of stationery, the folds of the strip being spaced at form-length intervals and the strips having marginal cutouts extending inwardly along the fold lines, feeding means comprising a rotary member and a roller cooperating therewith to engage said strip for the advancement thereof, said feeding means advancing said strip by one form length for each revolution of said rotary 'member; a storage compartment for receiving said strip as it issues from said feeding means extending from below the rotary member to the rear thereof in strip-feeding direction; means normally guiding said strip during advancement thereof toe ward the rear of said storage compartment; refolding means comprising a strip-engaging member rotated with said rotary member, said stripengaging member engaging said strip to the rear of and adjacent a fold, the edge of which is disposed toward said rotary member, by extending over the margin of the strip to bendthe engaged portion of the strip around the rotary member; means for arresting the travel of said fold line around said rotary member before it again attains the bite of the feeding means, said stripengaging member thereupon advancing toward said' fold line and escaping from engagement with the strip through the marginal cutout at the fold line, and depositing the said fold in the storage compartment below said rotary member; and means for retracting said stripengaging member beyond the margin of th strip, in passing the bite of said feeding means and in passing the margin of the strip entering said feeding means.

12. In a machine for controlling the advancement of a continuous zigzag folded strip of stationery over a platen, the folds of the strip being spaced at form-length intervals, feeding means at the delivery end of said platen comprising a rotary member and roller cooperating therewith to engage said strip for the advancement thereof,

said feeding means advancing said strip by one form length for each revolution of said rotary member; a releasable automatic stop means for arresting rotation of said rotary member at the same point in each revolution thereof while a form length is positioned for inscription above said platen; a storage compartment for receiving said strip as it issues from said feeding means extending from below the rotary member to the rear thereof in strip-feeding direction; means normally guiding said strip during advancement thereof toward the rear of said storage compartment; refolding means comprising a stripengaging member rotated with said rotary member and engaging said stripby extending over the margin thereof to bend the engaged portion of the strip around the rotary member; means for releasing said strip from said strip-engaging member before the engaged portion of the strip reattains the bite of the feeding means, whereby said engaged portion is deposited in the storage compartment below the feeding means; means for retracting said strip-engaging member beyond the margin of the strip in passing the bite of said feeding means and in passing the margin of the strip entering said feeding means; and means for retracting said strip-engaging member within the periphery of said rotary member during alternate revolutions of the latter,

9 whereby the strip-engaging member is rendered inoperative to engage alternate form lengths of said strip, said strip-engaging member being so disposed relative to said stop means as to engage the strip to the rear of and adjacent alternate fold lines in the strip, and the position of said strip-engaging member relative to the periphery of said rotary member upon operation of said stop means, indicating whether or not the refolding mechanism is about to engage the form length positioned above the platen, whereby said mechanism may be adjusted to engage alternate form lengths having fold lines at their leading edges which require depositing below the feeding means in the storage compartment for proper refolding thereof.

13. In a machine of the type described having a rotary strip-feeding member and a roller cooperating therewith adapted upon each revolution of the former to advance by a form length a continuous zigzag folded strip having fold lines at form-length intervals, a refolding mechanism comprising a strip-engaging member mounted for rotation with said strip-feeding member and for sliding movement in axial direction relative thereto, said strip-engaging member being adapted to extend inward over the margin of the strip as it issues from said feeding means, to bend the issuing strip around said rotary member as it rotates and to release said strip within less than a full revolution of the rotary member; means normally urging said strip-engaging member into strip-engaging position; a cam for moving said member laterally of the strip into retracted position beyond the margin thereof in passing the bite of said feeding means and in passing the margin of the strip entering said feeding means; and means for rendering said strip-engaging member inoperative to engage the strip during alternate revolutions of said rotary strip-feeding member. 14. In a machine of the type described having a rotary strip-feeding member and a roller cooperating therewith adapted to advance a continuous zigzag folded strip having marginal cutouts extending inward along the folds thereof; a refolding mechanism comprising a strip-engaging member mounted for rotation with said stripfeeding member and for sliding motion in axial direction relative thereto, said strip-engaging member being adapted to extend inward over the margin of the strip as it issues from said feeding means, to bend the issuing-strip around said rotary member as it rotates, and to release said strip in less than a full revolution of said rotary member; means normally urging said strip-engaging member into strip-engaging position; a cam adapted to move said member laterally into retracted position beyond the margin of the strip, in passing the bite of said feeding means and in passing the margin of the strip entering said feeding means; and means for timing operation of said strip-engaging member with the advancement of said strip to render it operative to engage the strip to the rear of and adjacent alternate fold lines thereof. I

15. In a machine of the type described having a rotary strip-feeding member and a roller 00-. operating therewith, adapted upon each revolution of the former to advance by a form length a continuous zigzag folded strip having its fold lines at form-length intervals, said strip having marginal cutouts extending inward along the fold lines, the edges of which are disposed toward said rotary strip-feeding member, a refolding mechanism comprising a strip-engaging member mounted for limited pivotal and limited axial sliding motion relative to a pivot eccentrically disposed with reference to the axis of said rotary strip-feeding member, the pivot rotating with the latter member about said axis, and a portion of said strip-engaging member being normally adapted, when outwardly pivoted, to extend inward over the margin of said strip as it issues from the bite of said feeding means, to bend the engaged strip around said rotary member as it rotates and to release the strip by escaping through said marginal cutouts; retracting means for moving said strip-engaging member axially outward beyond the margins of the strip in passing the bite of the feeding means and in passing the margin of the strip entering said feeding means; and means alternately operating during successive revolutions of said rotary member to move said strip-engaging member inward about said pivot by the time the strip-engaging portion thereof passes the bite of the feeding means, whereby said strip-engaging portion is within the periphery of said rotary feeding member and inoperative to engage the strip, and to move said strip-engaging member outwardly about the pivot after the strip-engaging portion passes the bite of the feeding means and before it is released by said retracting means for strip engagement.

16. A refolding mechanism as defined in claim 15 wherein the means for moving the strip-engaging member about its pivotal mounting comprises stop means rotating with the rotary stripfeeding member for limiting said pivotal motion; resilient toggle means for urging said strip-engaging member to either of its two limiting positions; a cam carried by said strip-engaging member; a fixed stop means cooperating alternately upon successive revolutions of said rotary member with a pair of cam surfaces provided on said cam, for moving said strip-engaging member respectively to one or the other of its limiting positions; and means for priming said cam to present its surfaces alternately for engagement with said fixed stop means during successive revolutions of said rotary member.

1'7. A refolding mechanism as defined in claim 15 wherein the means for moving the strip-engaging member about its pivotal mounting comprises stop means rotating with the rotary strip- P feeding member for limiting said pivotal motion, a toggle spring for urging said strip-engaging member to either of its two limiting positions; a cam pivotally mounted on said strip-engaging member and movable between two limiting positions, said toggle spring being connected to a portion of said cam and urging it alternately into one or the other of its limiting positions; a fixed stop means alternately engaging a pair of cam surfaces on said cam during successive revolutions of said rotary strip feeding member for moving the strip-engaging member respectively to one or the other of its limiting positions, the position of said cam determining which of the two surfaces is primed to cooperate with the fixed stop means, and cooperation of either cam surface with said stop means moving the cam to its opposite limiting position, whereby the other cam surface is adapted to engage said stop means during the succeeding revolution of the feeding means.

18. A refolding mechanism as defined in claim 15 wherein the means for moving the stripengaging member about, its pivotal mounting comprises stop means rotating'with the rotary strip-feeding member for limiting said pivotal motion; a toggle spring for urging said stripengaging member to either of its two limiting positions; a cam pivotally mounted upon said strip-engaging member and movable thereon between two limiting positions; a fixed stop means alternately engaging a pair of cam surfaces on said cam during successive revolutions of said rotary strip-feeding member for moving the stripengaging member respectively to one or the other of its limiting positions, the position of said cam determining which of its two surfaces is primed to cooperate with the fixed stop means, and said cam surfaces terminating in a portion cooperating with said stop means to move the cam to its opposite limiting position, whereby the other cam surface is adapted to engage said stop means during the succeeding revolution of the feeding means.

19. A refolding mechanism as defined in claim 15 wherein the means for alternately moving the strip-engaging member about its pivotal mounting comprises stop means rotating with the rotary strip-feeding member for limiting said pivotal motion; a toggle spring for urging said strip-engaging member to either of its two limiting positions; a cam carried by said strip-engaging member and movable thereon between two limiting positions, said toggle spring being connected to a portion of the cam and urging it alternately into one or the other of its limiting positions; a fixed stop means alternately engaging a pair of cam surfaces on said cam upon successive revolutions of said rotary member for moving the strip-engaging member respectively to one or the other of its limiting positions, the position of said cam determining which of the two cam surfaces is primed to cooperate with the fixed stop means; and a pair of fingers secured adjacent the pivotal mounting of said strip-engaging member, cooperating alternately with a portion of said cam as the surface thereof moves over the fixed stop means, to move the cam from one of its limiting positions to the other about its pivotal mounting, whereby the opposite cam surface is primed to engage said stop means during the succeeding revolution of the strip-feeding means.

20. In a strip-feeding device, feeding means including a rotating element for engaging a continuous strip to advance said strip a predetermined amount for each operation thereof; folding means movable in timed relation With said feeding means and adapted to engage the strip and cause the strip to be moved to a predetermined position to be folded thereby; and means including a cam for disposing said folding means over the marginal edge of the strip or below said edge for alternate operations of said feeding means.

21. In a strip-feeding device, feeding means for engaging and advancing a continuous strip divided into form-length intervals and having apertures therein disposed adjacent the line of division between the forms; and means operable on alternate operations of said feeding means and movable in timed relation with said feeding means for overlying the strip adjacent the aperture therein as the strip advances from the feeding means, said means moving the strip to a predetermined position to be folded thereby along a line of division, the advance of said strip being interrupted prior to a complete operation of the feeding means whereby cessation of movement of the strip and continued movement of the means engaging the strip causes said means to move from its overlying position through the aperture and be released from engagement with the strip.

22. In a strip-feeding device, feeding means for engaging and advancing a continuous strip divided into form-length intervals and having marginal apertures therein disposed adjacent the line of division between the forms; and folding means operable in timed relation with said feeding means for moving said strip to a predetermined position to be folded thereby along a line of division, means including a cam for alternately disposing the folding means over the marginal edge of the advanced strip adjacent the aperture or below said edge for each operation of the feeding means, the advance of said strip being interrupted prior to a complete operation of the feeding means whereby cessation of movement of the strip and continued movement of the folding means over the strip causes said means to move from its overlying position through the aperture and be released from engagement with the strip.

23. In a strip-feeding device, feeding means for engaging a continuous strip to advance said strip a predetermined amount for each operation thereof; and means operable on alternate opergagement with the strip.

ARTHUR A. JOHNSON. 

